José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb announced two separate agreements with Biogen of Cambridge, Mass., and Switzerland’s Roche to license compounds that aim to treat progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Tau protein contributes to the stability of basic cellular structures known as microtubules to transport molecules. Abnormal addition of…

A gene therapy approach that Benitec Biopharma is developing for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) brought impaired muscle strength in mice back to healthy levels and decreased their muscle fibrosis, or scarring, according to a preclinical trial study. Benitec said its approach could become an effective strategy for treating the rare genetic…